Latin Sensations ANNOTATION
Profiles five influential Latino entertainers of the 1990s, Ricky Martin, Selena, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias, and Marc Anthony, detailing their rise to stardom and their effects on the American music scene.
FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature
Five young Latino performers are featured in this compilation produced in association with the Arts and Entertainment channel, producers of the "Biography" series. The lives of Selena, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Enrique Iglesias are featured in these tabloid-like biographies. Capitalizing on the popular movement of Pop en Espanol (Spanish pop), these five people have done much to capture the public's eyes and ears. Some explanation of Latin musical styles like the mariachi, salsa and tejano, which include styles from Puerto Rico, Mexico and Cuba, are included. The biographies explain the influences, both cultural and personal, that inspired these performers to emerge into the current Latin craze, similar to what occurred during the Motown era. Scattered throughout are color and black-and-white photos, as well as short excerpts about other Latin performers, both current and past. An index, list of recordings and sources for further reading about Pop en Espanol are provided. 2001, Lerner Publications, $25.26 and $7.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger
KLIATT
Approximately 20 pages are devoted to each Latin sensation: Selena, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Enrique Iglesias. These are young, vibrant entertainers who took America by storm in the 1990s. The sections tell about how they started, where and why they began in a writing style as lively as the stars themselves, complemented by colorful pictures. There is too little information on each one, but perhaps the book will inspire readers to obtain more information on their own. This will be inappropriate for book reports but will entertain readers. KLIATT Codes: JS—Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2001, Lerner, A&E, 112p. illus. notes. bibliog. index. 22cm. 00-008876., $7.95. Ages 13 to 18. Reviewer: Sherri Forgash Ginsberg; Chapel Hill, NC , July 2001 (Vol. 35, No. 4)
School Library Journal
Gr 5-9-This collective biography profiles five major Latin music stars: Selena, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, and Enrique Iglesias. The performers are fleshed out reasonably well and M rquez gives readers the sense that these individuals have been around for awhile, and didn't suddenly burst on the scene. Even Selena, whose life was tragically cut short, paid her dues singing on the club circuit. A brief introduction and conclusion bookend the stories and place the stars within the context of the recent explosion of Latin music into the mainstream. The context is useful, but isn't as strong at giving young people an idea of the trailblazers who led the way. Gloria Estefan is mentioned briefly as one of the figures who paved the way for these new artists, but the connection is not completely clear. Nearly four pages of source notes and a selected bibliography and discography are appended. Numerous full-color and black-and-white photos appear throughout. A good resource for students looking for information on these Latin heartthrobs.-Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Home
